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The people shall further be graded according to wealth…

“The people shall further be graded according to wealth, and—humorous touch this—the more obviously a man labor, the more stinting shall be his reward; the more he work in the out-of-doors, the thinner his clothing shall be; the more his labor filthy him, the less water shall he have to wash” quote by Jamie O'Neill
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“The people shall further be graded according to wealth, and—humorous touch this—the more obviously a man labor, the more stinting shall be his reward; the more he work in the out-of-doors, the thinner his clothing shall be; the more his labor filthy him, the less water shall he have to wash”

Jamie O'Neill

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Society rewards visible labor and hardship with scant material gain, highlighting inequity.

In simple terms: Hard work often yields little reward.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and challenge unfair reward systems.

Themes

inequality labor reward social critique

Mood

critical ironic reflective

Type

social commentary satire philosophical

When to use this quote

  • workplace negotiations
  • policy debates
  • activist organizing
  • personal budgeting

Key Concepts

economic disparity social justice class struggle

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do modern economies value visible labor?
  • What reforms could make rewards fairer?
A Different Perspective

The quote may exaggerate for satire, not a literal economic analysis.

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